FIND ME ON:

Northern Shoveler Duck

The breeding drake has an iridescent dark green head, white breast and chestnut belly and flanks. In early fall the male will have a white crescent on each side of the face. In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake resembles the female.

The female is a drab mottled brown like other dabblers, with plumage much like a female mallard, but easily distinguished by the long broad bill, which is gray tinged with orange on cutting edge. The female's forewing is gray.

I need to take my eyes off them for short breaks when they are in groups feeding. Believe it or not, if I watch through my lens while they are in their feeding "circles" I tend to get a little green. AND, being green leads to very embarrassing actions on my part.

Northern Shoveler Duck -This species of duck is unmistakable in the northern hemisphere visually due to its large spatulate bill. For some odd reason, I find this duck interesting to watch. More so than most.

Northern Shoveler Male Duck -This species of duck is unmistakable in the northern hemisphere visually due to its large spatulate bill. For some odd reason, I find this duck interesting to watch. More so than most.